MOLYBDENUM By Michael J. Magyar Domestic survey data and tables were prepared by Cindy C. Chen, statistical assistant, and the world production table was prepared by Linder Roberts, international data coordinator. Molybdenum is a refractory metallic element used principally until after the nearby Henderson deposit in Empire, CO, about as an alloying agent in cast iron, steel, and superalloys to 100 kilometers east, is exhausted. The Tonopah Mine in Nevada enhance hardenability, strength, toughness, and wear- and was being permanently closed. Molybdenum was produced as corrosion- resistance. To achieve desired metallurgical properties, a byproduct of copper production at the Bagdad and Sierrita molybdenum, primarily in the form of molybdic oxide (MoX) or Mines in Arizona and at the Bingham Canyon Mine in Utah. ferromolybdenum (FeMo), is frequently used in combination with The byproduct molybdenum recovery circuit at the Chino Mine or added to chromium, columbium (niobium), manganese, nickel, in New Mexico remained on care and maintenance. Montana tungsten, or other alloy metals. The versatility of molybdenum in Resources’ Continental Pit in Montana resumed operation enhancing a variety of alloy properties has ensured it a significant in November 2003, with the first shipments of molybdenite role in contemporary industrial technology, which increasingly concentrate expected in early 2004 (Platts Metals Week, 2003d). requires materials that are serviceable under high stress, expanded With byproduct molybdenum recovery at a copper mine, temperature ranges, and highly corrosive environments. Moreover, all mining costs associated with producing the molybdenum molybdenum finds significant use as a refractory metal in numerous concentrate are allocated to the primary metal (copper). Owing chemical applications, including catalysts, lubricants, and pigments. to this cost advantage, byproduct molybdenite recovery The variety of uses for molybdenum materials, few of which afford from copper circuits at selected porphyry copper mines was acceptable substitution, has resulted in a doubling of consumption estimated to account for 75% of Western and 50% of worldwide in the Western World to about 136,000 metric tons per year (t/yr) molybdenum supply. Phelps Dodge Corp. and Kennecott (300 million pounds per year) in 2000 from about 68,000 t/yr (150 Utah Copper Corp. restored copper production and byproduct million pounds per year) in 1983 (Adams, 2001). molybdenum recovery in 2003, but Kennecott production Distribution of molybdenum reserves and production capacity of byproduct molybdenum remained reduced owing to was concentrated in a few countries of the world. World mine unexpectedly low ore grades (Metal-Pages, 2003a§1). output was estimated to be 125,000 metric tons (t) (molybdenum Primary molybdenum mines, staffed to operate at less than contained in concentrate), of which, in descending order of 50% of capacity, operate in a swing capacity and are unable production, the United States, China, Chile, Peru, Canada, Mexico, to quickly ramp up production to meet spikes in demand. The and Armenia provided more than 94% (table 11). Chile, China, Thompson Creek Mine produced at less than 50% of its 9,000-t/ and the United States also possessed about 85% of the estimated 19 yr (20-million-pound-per-year) capacity in 2003, the Henderson million metric tons (Mt) of molybdenum in the world reserve base. Mine also operated at less than 50% of its 18,000-t/yr (40- million-pound-per-year) capacity, and the Questa Mine and its Production mill were operated separately at intervals of about 6 months (Ryan’s Notes, 2003c). Domestic production data for molybdenum were derived by the U.S. Geological Survey by means of three separate Consumption voluntary surveys. These surveys are Molybdenum Ore and Concentrate (annual), Molybdenum Concentrate (monthly), In 2003, reported consumption (roasting) of molybdenum and Molybdenum Products and Molybdenum Concentrates concentrate was 27,500 t, an increase of about 6,300 t compared (monthly). Surveys are sent to all operations that produce with that of 2002. The increase resulted from increased molybdenum ore and products. All eight operations to which mine production and because molybdenum concentrates surveys were sent responded, representing 100% of the U.S. from Thompson Creek were roasted domestically in 2003. production listed in table 1. Domestic mine production of molybdenum concentrate was In 2003, U.S. mine production of molybdenum concentrate roasted, exported for conversion, or purified to lubricant-grade was 33,500 t, about a 5% increase from 32,000 t in 2002. World molybdenum disulfide. Technical-grade MoX consumption in mine production of molybdenum in 2003 increased to 125,000 2003 was slightly less than that of 2002. Oxide was the chief t, about a 3% increase from 121,000 t in 2002. The U.S. share form of molybdenum used by industry, particularly in making of world production remained at 27% in 2003. Net production full alloy, stainless, and tool steel, and superalloys; however, of molybdenum products increased to 11,800 t in 2003 from some of the oxide was converted to other molybdenum products, 10,500 t in 2002 (table 2). such as ammonium and sodium molybdates, FeMo, high-purity Primary molybdenum production continued at the Henderson oxide, and metal powder (table 3). Mine in Colorado, the Questa Mine in New Mexico, and the Thompson Creek Mine in Idaho. The Climax Mine in Colorado 1References that include a section mark (§) are found in the Internet has been inactive since 1995 and will not be brought back online References Cited section. MOLYBDENUM—2003 51.1 Metallurgical applications continued to dominate porphyry molybdenum deposits mined or anticipated to be molybdenum use in 2003, accounting for about 75% of total mined primarily for molybdenum and as an associated metal consumption (table 3). In 2003, ferromolybdenum accounted sulfide in low-grade porphyry copper deposits. These deposits for 39% of the molybdenum-bearing forms used to make steel, were in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New a 3% increase from that of 2002. Nonmetallurgical applications Mexico, and Utah. Other molybdenum sources contribute included catalysts, chemicals, lubricants, and pigments. The insignificantly to U.S. reserves. dominant nonmetallurgical use was in catalysts. Most Canadian reserves of molybdenum were associated with porphyry molybdenum and porphyry copper-molybdenum Stocks deposits in British Columbia. Other Canadian reserves were associated with minor copper-molybdenum porphyry deposits in In 2003, producer plus consumer industry stocks were about New Brunswick and Quebec. 4,400 t, a decrease of about 1,700 t compared with those of Molybdenum reserves in Central America and South America 2002. Inventories of molybdenum in concentrate at mines were associated mainly with large copper porphyry deposits. and plants decreased by about 1,400 t. Producer stocks of Of several such deposits in Chile, the Chuquicamata and El molybdenum in such products as FeMo, molybdates, MoX, Teniente deposits were among the world’s largest and accounted metal powders, and other types decreased by about 1,500 t for 85% of molybdenum reserves in Chile. Mexico and Peru compared with those of 2002. Total stocks of about 6,900 t had substantial reserves. La Caridad deposit in Mexico was a represented about a 23-week supply. Supply was calculated as large producer. Numerous other porphyry copper deposits that reported stocks divided by annual consumption (table 1). may contain recoverable quantities of molybdenum have been identified in Central America and South America. Many of Prices these deposits were being actively explored and evaluated and could substantially add to reserves in the future. Reserves of Prices were reported in Platts Metals Week in dollars per molybdenum in China and the Commonwealth of Independent kilogram of contained molybdenum. The time-average prices States were thought to be substantial, but definitive information for 2003 were MoX, $11.653 per kilogram and FeMo, $13.001 about the current sources of supply or prospects for future per kilogram of contained molybdenum, which represented development in these two areas was lacking. increases of 41% and 20%, respectively, compared with 2002 prices. Molybdenum prices rose steadily in 2003 before spiking World Review in December. The MoX monthly average price ranged from $7.904 per kilogram in January to $13.035 per kilogram in Armenia.—While Chinese FeMo exports to Europe have November, and the FeMo monthly average price ranged from decreased, FeMo exports from Armenia to Europe have $10.406 per kilogram in January to $15.295 per kilogram in increased to 1,464 t in 2002 from 156 t in 1997, and FeMo November. In December the MoX price spiked at $15.818 per exports from Iran to Europe have increased to 11,289 t in 2002 kilogram, and the FeMo price spiked at $17.733. from 50 t in 1997. Armenia and Iran have shifted to production of downstream products; previously, concentrates produced in Foreign Trade those countries were shipped to Russia for processing (Ryan’s Notes, 2003a). In 2003, molybdenum-containing material exports Canada.—With the runup in molybdenum prices, the Endako collectively contained about 30,100 t of molybdenum and were open pit molybdenum mine at Fraser Lake, British Columbia, valued at $268 million (table 6). Imports for consumption of reportedly returned to profitability. The mine continued molybdenum-containing materials (products) collectively were to operate 24 hours per day aided by subfreezing weather valued at $131 million (table 9). overnight that helped to stabilize rock on the sides of the pit. Endako is owned by Thompson Creek Mining Ltd. and Nissho World Industry Structure Iwai Moly Resources Inc. (Platts Metals Week, 2003a). The mine has almost completely recovered from a 3-Mt rockslide on Capacity.—As of December 31, U.S. rated capacity for December 10, 2002, near its in-pit crusher (Platts Metals Week, mines and mills was estimated to be 75,000 t/yr of contained 2003b).